To compete better with Netflix and other streaming services, Disney has also said it will keep new Disney releases out of Netflix, starting from 2019.

Disney was making all the right strategic decisions as it builds out the streaming business, Evercore ISI's Vijay Jayant said.

The company is developing family-friendly streaming services that will sell directly to consumers. It will launch a sports-focused service called ESPN Plus in early 2018.

According to news reports, Disney has held talks in recent weeks about a potential acquisition of most of Twenty-First Century Fox's <FOXA.O> media assets including FX, National Geographic and its movie studio.

While Iger declined to comment on the speculation on Thursday, analysts said a deal could help Disney expand its content library as it prepares to launch the streaming service.

Disney's shares have been a laggard on the Dow Jones industrial average <.DJI>, having fallen about 1.5 percent this year through Thursday, compared to the 18.7 percent gain the index has seen.

Netflix's stock, which has climbed 52 percent this year, was down 2 percent on Thursday morning.